• Lakes
    • Active & Green
    • Art & Culture

Discover the lakes of Brianza - Greenland

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

Moulded by the millennial movements of glaciers and painted by the ever-chancing colours or a generous nature, Upper Brianza (the mountainous area in the North and East of Brianza) is a territory that bestows an extraordinary variety of landscapes, all of which are enchanting.

With its gentle hillsides that slope towards the Lambro valley, the lakes and the other bodies of water, the rivers, the irrigation canals, it has always been admired for its beauty and extolled for its healthy air. Over past centuries it has become the ideal holiday destination for Milanese gentry and others who were seeking a special place where they could establish their country homes.

Hence, beginning in the 1600s, numerous “Villas of Delight” arose, rich in works of art, with spectacular Italian- and English-style gardens, are one of the most precious jewels in the zone. From the nineteenth-century Villa Cagnola, to the extravagant Art Nouveau pearl of Villa Bordone, through Villa Sormani Andreani Verri, a corner of Provence amidst the hillsides of Brianza.

From the Villas to other "delightful destinations" that can be reached with the electric ferry Vago Eupili on the Lake of Pusiano.  Its calm waters are surrounded by poplars, alders, and willows and, towards the Isle of Cypress, by a thick line of cypresses that prevent a clear view of what is going on the island.

From the privileged position of the ferry it is possible to observe species (sometimes even rare ones) of aquatic birds that inhabit the lake shores, from the bright blue Kingfisher to the peaceful Mallard  continuing on to the wings of the Mute Swan

The delights of Upper Brianza are also enogastronomic and can be sampled in the Crotti, convivial places, something between a wine cellar and a trattoria. If there is one aspect that makes them unique it is the setting they are immersed in, or the tavern built above or next to these rooms dug into the rock, once used to preserve local products.

The crotti, generally run by a family, offer their clients polenta, meats grilled on a stone slab (the piòta), braised meats, freshwater fish, cold meats and cheeses all washed done with plenty of local wines, and guarantee an authentically rustic atmosphere where clients can savour them at their best.

-

PH: SHUTTERSTOCK
Albavilla (CO)
Forever a holiday destination (not by chance is “villa” part of the name), this town immersed in greenery is today more than ever a favourite among the Milanese, who come here to escape urban frenzy. Surrounded by woods of chestnuts, beech trees, oaks, ash trees, and maples, it is also a land of protected flora, so be careful not to pick the daffodils and irises, which are beautiful - but only for the eyes!
More
Albese con Cassano (CO)
Albese con Cassano boasts notable examples of monumental architecture with historical gardens, like the Villas dubbed di Delizia Santa Chiara, Pellegrini Sormani, and Bassi Greppi. Other sites of interest are the religious buildings and the Ethnographic Museum and the “Lavandée” Water Museum, which stands where an old washhouse dating back to 1822 used to stand.
More
Alserio (CO)
Alserio lies on the shore of the homonymous lake and has a profound and ancient bond with the waters. Strolling around the lake one comes across some romantic basins, while not far away excursionists can venture into the splendid itinerary of the Buerga, a trail that makes it possible to enter into contact with the uncontaminated nature of this zone.
More
Bosisio Parini (LC)
Bosisio Parini, in the province of Lecco, is situated on the shores of Lake Pusiano. This is the starting point of a long walk, with an annexed park, featuring one enchanting panorama after another. At the dock a boat will take you to visit the lake and the Isle of the Cypresses (Isola dei Cipressi). The islands most illustrious citizen was the poet Giuseppe Parini (1729-1799).
More
Erba (CO)
At the foot of the Lombard pre-Alps, at 320 metres above sea level, is Erba, on the plain that bears its name. The period following World War I saw Erba at the centre of an important economic and cultural growth spurt. In the 1920s the open-air Licinium Theatre was designed and built. The Theatre is a complex in Greek-Roman style masonry consisting of a vast circular stage flanked by a colonnade and bound frontally by a staircase.
More
Eupilio (CO)
Eupilio stretches out on the slopes of Mount Cornizzolo, in a hilly zone between Lake Segrino and Lake Pusiano. This lakeside town is quite, calm, and peaceful, granting visitors a sense of time having been slowed down. The water that flows from higher altitudes collects in Lake Segrino and continues downstream, cutting through the town to Lake Pusiano.
More
Inverigo (CO)
Inverigo is a territory that is well worth discovering, a place defined as “the pearl of Brianza” since the days when the nobility spent their holidays here. Even today this town continues to be immersed in splendid countryside, characterised by old tree-lined avenues and embellished by the amazing concentration of historic twentieth-century villas - both large and small.
More
Ponte Lambro (CO)
Halfway between Como and Lecco, amidst the mountains of the Lariano Triangle, is Ponte Lambro, a town settled thanks to the construction of a bridge that made it possible to cross the Lambro River. The town was originally formed by the old nuclei of Ponte, Busnigallo, Fucina, Lezza and Mazzonio, all of which were unified over time. The vocation of these places for enterprise is as old as their history and strongly influenced by the presence of the Lambro River.
More
Pusiano (CO)
The town of Pusiano lends its name to the lake in which it is reflected. Its golden age dates back to the Napoleonic period. During the early nineteenth century, the Viceroy of Italy Eugène de Beauharnais chose Pusiano as his summer residence and, for a dozen years or so the town became a centre of worldly living. Standing witness to this era is Palazzo Carpani Beauhanais (XV-XIX centuries), situated just a few metres from the lake shore.
More
Rogeno (LC)
Among the elements that design the territory of Upper Brianza are the rogge, which are quiet artificial irrigation canals, fed by a larger waterway and used to irrigate crops and feed mills and small electric power plants. Rogeno owes its name to one of these waterways, around which it grew over time, house by house.
More
Merone (CO)
Merone is crossed by the Lambro River, which sustained the development of industry during the 1800s: mills, hammers, presses, spinning machines worked thanks to the power provided by its waters. Many mills were constructed along the river (10 in Merone alone), including several spinning mills (the first one was in Isacco) and some dyeworks.
More
Lurago d'Erba (CO)
If you are seeking a town that it literally immersed in the greenery of Upper Brianza, you must head to Lurago d’Erba, since antiquity a peaceful rural town and even today with a population of just 5400.
More
Longone al Segrino (CO)
Nestled in a small hollow formed by morainal hills, Longone al Segrino still maintains all the charm of its ancient history. The Church of Santa Maria in Prato is of medieval origins. When it was reconstructed in Baroque style in 1765, a pagan altar dedicated to Hercules the Invincible was brought to light, but today is missing.
More
Lambrugo (CO)
In Lambrugo, the Milanese nobles Carcano had the women's Benedictine monastery constructed and dedicated to St. Mary of the Assumption, equipping it with various buildings and estates. As young women from upper-class families entered the convent, generous donations were never lacking. For 750 years the monastery was the leading economic driver of the entire territory.
More
Orsenigo (CO)
The City of Orsenigo is located in a morainal zone, originating during the Quaternary era. Among the monuments of particular interest are the splendid and majestic eighteenth-century residents of Villa Marelli, the Park of Villa del Soldo, Palazzo del Targelio, the church of S. Martin and the church of St. Blaise.
More

On the same topic

Show all

Lago Maggiore Old stories

Finds from the Iron Age, evidence of the Ice Age, monuments of industrial archaeology, dolls from the eighteenth century to date: lower Lago Maggiore (the Verbano area)
Lago Maggiore Storie antiche
  • Lakes

Lago di Iseo: the pleasant isle

Cars are not allowed on Monte Isola island, where visitors must walk or cycle as they explore the delightfully silent, narrow streets in its villages
Lago di Iseo: l'amena Monte Isola
  • Lakes

Explore Lake Idro and its surroundings

At an altitude of four hundred metres, Lake Idro is a place of peace, nature and history, and is the coolest and most secluded of the Lombard lakes
Explore Lake Idro and its surroundings - in Lombardia
  • Lakes

Lago Maggiore Artist’s brushstrokes

Trompe l’oeil frescos, five centuries of pictorial cycles, spontaneous and organised murals: colour is everywhere in and around Laveno Mombello
Lago Maggiore Pennellate d'artista
  • Lakes

Lakeside and centre of gargnano

Gargnano: one of the most beautiful historical centers of Lake Garda.
Lakeside and centre of Gargnano
  • Lakes

Boat Trips at Lombard Lakes

Iseo, Garda, Como. Boat trips on the Lombardy lakes offer an alternative point of view. From the lakes to the villages that surround them.
Boat trips at Lombard lakes, an original idea
  • Lakes

Centre of colico

Discover what to see in Colico, the pearl of Lake Lecco.
Centre of Colico
  • Lakes

5 Thing-to-do in Domaso

An amazing place for your active holiday on Lake Como
domaso cose fare
  • Lakes

A host of surfboards on Lombardy lakes

From wakeboarding to flyboarding, kitesurfing to SUP: the on-trend water sports on the lakes of Lombardy
Un esercito di tavole da surf sui laghi lombardi
  • Lakes

Lake Maggiore

The Doll Museum. The villages and the districts. Trekking, horse riding and water sports. Advice for experiencing Lake Maggiore
Vivere il Lago Maggiore
  • Lakes

Lecco in Spring

In the spring Lake Lecco offers many landscape, historical and architectural ideas, come and visit them!
Walking among villas, parks and botanic gardens
  • Lakes

Lago di Lugano The Little World of the Past

A place of cultural interest indeed with the landscapes of Fogazzaro’s novels, the fossils of Monte San Giorgio, the fortifications of World War land the secret places of Ceresio
Lago di Lugano Piccolo mondo antico
  • Lakes

Iseo Lake’s activities

Culture, nature, sports, beaches and good food on Lake Iseo.
Iseo Lake: culture, nature, sport, beaches and good food
  • Lakes

The most beautiful villages on Lake Lugano - What to see

Among enchanting villages, nature reserves and ancient villas, Lake Lugano is the ideal destination for a weekend of pure well-being. Find out more.
  • Lakes

Discover the lakes of Brianza - Greenland

Laghi Brianza (Ph: shutterstock)
  • Lakes

Lago di Iseo: prehistory and bubbles

The Valle Camonica rock engravings are as famous worldwide as the wine made in Franciacorta. On a journey of discover what else this area has to offer
Lago di Iseo Preistoria e bollicine
  • Lakes

Lago Maggiore Unspoilt landscapes

Monteviasco can only be reached on foot or by cableway from Ponte di Piero. This village is famous for its 18th century mills placed in a natural setting.
Lago Maggiore Paesaggi incontaminati
  • Lakes

Dream beaches on Lake Garda

For an escape from the August heat in Lombardy, why not visit these 5 heavenly beaches on Lake Garda?
  • Lakes

Canyoning in Valmalenco

A unique canyoning route in the Alps
Speleocanyoning nel torrente Cormor in Valmalenco
  • Lakes

The loveliest island in the Lakes

Visit the islands of the Lombard lakes: a dip in little enchanted worlds.
The loveliest island in the lakes: Montisola, Isola Comacina, Isola del Garda
  • Lakes